GIS in Public Health Septic Maintenance Program in Lewis and Clark County
About Lewis and Clark County Approximately 55,000 people-mostly in the Helena Valley and City of Helena Approximately 10,000 septic systems-6,000 in the Helena Valley alone (conservative #)
J E F F E R S O N The HelenaValley= Groundwater flow to Lake Silver Creek Helena and the Missouri River Missouri River Hauser Lake North Helena Valley Lake Helena Sevenmile Creek Hauser Lake Central Helena Valley Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir Tenmile Creek City of Helena Prickly Pear Creek East Helena Valley
The Problem: Shallow Groundwater Coarse sands and gravels (poor filtration) Densely populated sensitive areas with individual septic systems that are +30 years old Illegally installed systems/unreported failed systems
Current Wastewater Treatment in Lewis and Clark County Homeowner knowledge Homeowner financial status High percentage of aging systems-40% Existing inspection and maintenance Availability of replacement area Poorly sited Systems installed prior to permitting Declining water quality trends
The Implementation 2006: 319 Grant from the EPA to research options for a septic system maintenance program or district. Implementation plan Stakeholders meeting 3 public meetings
The Implementation 2007: Lewis and Clark County was awarded an EPA Targeted Watershed Grant Low income revolving loan program. Develop a Septic Maintenance District or Program. Totaled $385,000 over 3 years with $200,000 to be used for the loan program.
The Implementation July 2008: Final Implementation Plan presented to the Board of County Commissioners and the City-County Board of Health Both boards supported the Health Department in moving forward with implementation.
The Implementation Spring 2009: Developed a Working Group Industry and environmental professionals Met once a month for 4 months. Meetings focused on: Public acceptance-outreach and education Frequency for inspection Cost Used Implementation Plan as a guideline
Proposal to the City-County Board of Health December 2009: Staff formally presented a proposal for a Septic Maintenance Program in Lewis and Clark County Regulations to be adopted by the Board of Health as an additional chapter in the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Regulations
Public Comment and Resistance Three public meetings occurred in Spring 2010 on the heels of an outreach and education campaign. Main themes: Too expensive Too restrictive There s not a big enough problem to require this-lack of science Supportive, but not as proposed
We Listened As a result of the public comments the regulations were amended to reflect: System owner choice Non-compliant (load increase) systems Illegally installed systems
Adoption January 11, 2011: Public Hearing before the Lewis and Clark City-County Board of Health Approximately 2 hours, 25 verbal comments Comment period closed January 15, 2011 45 days Over 100 written comments received Media campaign
Adoption All comments were compiled, responded to and put into a written report for Board and public review. January 27, 2011: Board of Health adopted the amendments to the regulations at their regularly scheduled meeting July 1, 2011: Effective date
Owner/Occupant Responsibilities Assessment Every 3-5 years-dependent on system Self reporting and pumping OR Inspection Every 4 years and pump as indicated by inspection 45 Days
Revolving Loan Program Lewis and Clark County has a low interest revolving loan program to help assist residents with: Repair Replacement Permit costs Pumping costs
How does GIS Relate? A primary goal of the program was identifying homeowners with septic systems to evaluate if they are operating properly. Establish notification process Implement online database (OnlineRME.com) Correct faulty permitting database (not very helpful) Illegal Systems Wrong addresses
How Is GIS Involved? Address dump into the online database First tried to match GIS addresses with the permitting database=failure. When online database came along, GIS helped in getting the addresses put into the database Provide regular address updates Finding old permits-correcting database our
How Is GIS Involved? Development of layer file Address selection Exporting cadastral information
How Is GIS Involved? Continued mapping of well and septic systems Drainfield locations Test Holes Wells Groundwater Monitoring Wells Reporting to Board of Health Elected Officials Public
The Future A fully integrated GIS/Permitting database Electronically linking permits, site, soil information and other pertinent details to parcels Improving the Septic Maintenance Program tracking and notification process. Improving public information, including the real estate community.
For More Information Beth Norberg, REHS/RS Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department 406-447-8385 septic-maintenance@lccountymt.gov Google: Lewis and Clark Septic Maintenance